ZIMBABWE: The striking moment before the start of a U-19 World Cup match has drawn fresh attention to the growing strain in relations between India and Bangladesh, both on and off the cricket field.
In this sense, at the centre of the discussion was the absence of the customary handshake between the two team captains during the pre-match toss.
Bangladesh’s acting captain, Zawad Abrar, and India’s skipper, Ayush Mhatre, stood side by side as the coin was flipped, but the traditional gesture of sportsmanship was noticeably missing.
The toss, which was won by Bangladesh, passed without explanation for the unusual omission. However, the incident quickly gained attention, particularly given the broader backdrop of diplomatic and sporting tensions between the two neighbours.
Cricket observers were quick to recall similar scenes during last year’s Asia Cup, when Indian players declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts following heightened military tensions between the two countries.
In this regard, the decision followed controversy surrounding star pacer Mustafizur Rahman, who was released by his Indian Premier League franchise despite being signed for more than $1 million at the December auction. The move triggered strong reactions in Dhaka, where it was perceived as another sign of deteriorating sporting ties.
Moreover, political relations between the two countries have also cooled in recent months. Ties worsened after a mass uprising in Bangladesh in 2024 led to the removal of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, a long-time ally of New Delhi.
India has since raised concerns over minority rights in Bangladesh, allegations that Dhaka’s interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has firmly rejected.
